CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Lapstone House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, safe medicines practices and suitable infection control.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and had the skills to provide care. People received suitable food, healthcare support and care based on assessments of their needs.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff knew people well and treated them with kindness, dignity and respect. People were supported to make choices and maintain their independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's needs and preferences and were updated as needs changed. People could receive visitors, take part in activities and raise concerns.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found an open, person-centred culture and clear leadership. The manager sought feedback and used checks, advice and learning from incidents to improve the service.
What inspectors found, November 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, while noting that the premises were old and outdated.
This was the first inspection since the home was registered under Cumberland Council. Inspectors visited without warning on 1 November 2023, returned on 7 November to review more records, and spoke with people, relatives and staff.
All five areas were rated Good. Inspectors found enough suitable staff, safe medicines support, good care planning, kind staff and effective leadership. People were supported to make choices, keep in touch with visitors and take part in activities.
The main weakness was the building. Inspectors said the premises were old and outdated, although equipment helped people move around independently and a refurbishment was planned. The home had no breaches of regulations recorded in this report.
Safe staffing and care
People and relatives said there were enough staff, and inspectors saw staff supporting people patiently and without rushing.
“We saw staff were patient and unhurried while supporting people.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff knew people well, respected their choices and supported their privacy, dignity and independence.
“People were treated in a kind, caring and respectful way.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans were based on individual needs and preferences, and staff knew what mattered to each person.
“People were supported as individuals, in line with their needs and preferences.” from the report
Good leadership
The manager promoted a positive culture, asked people for their views and used feedback to improve the service.
“The registered manager had developed a person-centred culture which focused on providing good outcomes for people.” from the report
Visitors and activities
People could see visitors when they wished and were offered activities they enjoyed.
“People saw their visitors as they wished and were provided with a range of activities they enjoyed.” from the report
Old and outdated premises
minorInspectors found that the building was old and outdated. A refurbishment was planned, so families should ask what work is planned and when it will happen.
“The premises were old and outdated.” from the report
Staff feedback follow-up
minorThe manager sought staff views, but inspectors discussed that feedback about actions taken in response to suggestions could be improved.
“We discussed with the registered manager how feedback to staff about actions taken in response to their suggestions could be improved.” from the report
- 01What refurbishment work is planned for the old and outdated premises, and when is it expected to be completed?
- 02How will residents be kept comfortable and safe while refurbishment work is carried out?
- 03How are staff told about changes made after incidents or feedback from staff and residents?
- 04How often are care plans reviewed when a person's needs or preferences change?
- 05What activities are currently available, and how are residents' individual interests taken into account?
This was the first inspection of the newly registered service and covered all five key questions, each rated Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 November 2023 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Lapstone House
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2023
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 April 2023.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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9 live-in carers within about an hour of Cumberland
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
8 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.